Putnam Co. challengers rebuffed

Tuesday

Mar 18, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 18, 2014 at 11:49 PM

HENNEPIN — Two longtime Putnam County officials brushed off challenges in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, apparently paving the way for re-election in November in the heavily Democratic county where there are no Republican candidates for their seats.

County Clerk & Recorder Daniel S. Kuhn of McNabb got nearly two-thirds of the vote as he beat back a challenge from County Board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer of Mark while seeking his fourth term. The vote was 954 for Kuhn, or 64.6 percent, and 523 for Biagi-Bruer, or 35.4 percent.

Biagi-Bruer, who is the board’s current vice chairwoman, works for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Driver Facility Services in LaSalle. Her board term ends Nov. 30, which means she will lose the seat at that time.

Meanwhile, County Sheriff Kevin L. Doyle of rural Granville scored an even more lopsided victory in his bid for a fifth term over challenger Kevin J. Moore, the longtime police chief in Granville. Voters gave Doyle 1,229 votes, or 81.7 percent, compared to 275 for Moore, or 18.3 percent.

Voters also chose uncontested primary candidates for the resident circuit judge’s seat and County Board positions. Those matters will be decided in November’s general election.